Current obsession

This came in the mail last week care of my beautifil SIL. I personally think that people should read more. I'm saddened by the fact that a lot of youngsters nowadays are not familiar with the classic books and the famous authors of the past. Most kids are glued to the tv or to the latest gaming consoles.

Currently reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman

OOTD

Two good friends are moving to Japan this week. We had a simple farewell dinner at Marche @ 313 Somerset. Marche because they both miss Swiss food. They met and studied their masters in Swissland and came over to Singapore for work. It was an early, informal dinner so I decided to go with a simple (read: plain) outfit.

• Pearl and diamond stud earrings with a drop pendant set in white gold. I feel compelled to match all my jewelry with my wedding and engagement rings. :|
• White, long sleeved Zara cardigan with the sleeves bunched up to 3/4
• Black Topshop dress
• Dark gray messenger bag from Mango
• Dark gray ballet flats from Charles & Keith. :p
• Gong Cha Milk Melon Tea :D

There's a DIY-gal in all of us :)

I'm fortunate enough to grow up in the hands of a very creative and hands-on mom. She cut my hair, made my costumes for school, prepared my lunch, sew most of my dresses, and she also taught me most of the things I know about hair, nails, and make-up. I love you, mum. :)

Found this little DIY video on how to make a little girl's dress out of recycled shirt hems. A nice gift and a nice activity for a boring weekend. I don't have kids yet, but this is a nice video to keep in my archive for those days when I'm feeling all creative.

Click here for the video.

Can't seem to upload it. Pfft.

Avene Cleanance Lotion-Toner Review

Let's hope I do this review poperly, shall we?

What it is according to the product description on the website:

• Astringent toner purifies skin and tightens pores without stinging or irritating sensation. [sic]
• Mattifying powders help absorb excess sebum and leave skin shine-free. [sic]

Use it if you suffer from the following:

• Oily, blemish prone skin
• Visible shine
• Enlarged pores

What you can expect:

• Purified skin with tightened pores.
• No stinging or irritating sensation
• Helps regulate sebum secretion
• Mattifying powders help absorb excess sebum, leaving skin shine-free
• Avene Thermal Spring Water to soothe and soften skin
• Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

Okay. Now, the truth.

I use the toner twice a day, morning and evening after I wash my face. You need to give the bottle a good shake to mix the powder into the toner. You'll see that the solution is divided, before you use it. The dominant top part is clear, and the lower part is cloudy white. 

I put a pretty good amount on a facial cotton and dab and swipe across my face very gently. I don't put it on my neck because, I don't need it there. Then I let my skin absorb it first and apply serum and moisturizer. Or if it's during the day, sunblock and moisturizer. Now for the findings.

Pros:

• Very light, clean scent.
• Does not sting at all. No redness, irritations, or any warm sensation which most acne toners have.
• Doesn't leave my skin dry.
• Does a good job at mattifying the skin. In Singapore's humid weather, it lasts a good 6-8 hours.
• Mild and neutral that you can use it in conjunction with other acne medications or serums, etc without over-drying your skin.

Cons:

• I'm on my 3rd or 4th bottle and my pores do not seem that much tightened. But I do notice some minor/minimal skin improvements.
• About the purifying part. I'm not sure what it means but I still get black and whiteheads and occasional acne.
• Feels a bit tacky after application. But that disappears after awhile.
• It's too mild that it needs help from other products to do its job. Like a serum or a specialized acne moisturizer. This could actually be a good thing, though. :)

Final verdict:

• If you have acne-prone skin which is sensitive and is easily irritated by strong toners for acne, use this product. Just don't expect it to work as fast and as rigorous as some other stronger acne treatments. This toner will not aggravate your present skin condition but it will take time to work. Patience is key. :)
• I've suffered from acne since high school and I've used acne products since then as well. I used to think that stinging and redness were signs that a product is working. That's a very big misconception. Sometimes you just really need to be patient and wait for the products to take effect.

Last piece of advice:

• Remember that what goes into your body has a huge effect on your skin as well. Eat fruits and vegetables and drink lots of water too. And lastly, if you have time, exercise and sweat all thouse impurities out. ;)

Good luck.

Trading items :)

Hi, hi. :) If anybody's looking for someone to trade items with from Singapore, just let me know. I'm also looking for people to trade items with from other countries. Just let me know what you want from here, and I'll send it over to you and vice versa. :)

Moisturizers and Toners and some other stuff

Other than the ton of cleansers I use, I also use quite a bit of moisturizers. Mainly because I am still in a desperate search to finally find what really works for me. It's been a long, tedious journey and the moment I find my holy grail product, I'm going to let the whole world know.

Okay, here we go again. Products below and their links. An in depth review for each product coming soon as I am pressed for time. A swimming/barbecue party is commencing as I write.

1. Avene Cleanance Lotion - Toner -I'm on my 3rd, maybe 4th bottle

2. A sample of Khiel's Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment - will definitely buy this one again

3. Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care - 2nd tube

4. La Roche Posay Effaclar K - Not for me. Just simply not for me. :|

5. A sample of the new Khiel's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution - Love!!!

6. Boscia Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF15 - Been using this for almost a year but I have mixed feelings about it. Not the best SPF under foundation.

7. Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Milk - I'm only at my 3rd day of using this. Will give this a more detailed review last to give myselft time to test the product out well.

Sorry for the teaser. :D

Accessorizing your bikini

What goes best with a bikini other than the perfect summer dress/tunic, sunglasses, sunblock, and fit flops? Why bikini abs and sexy, toned legs of course! Here's a video from Karena and Katrina from Tone It Up to get you in your best bikini shape ever.

Cleanser Threesome. :p

Happy heart's day! :) This post is all about loving...your skin. Sad intro there. ha ha ha

Just a brief on my skin type, I have oily, acne prone, sensitive skin. Sucks to be me, I know.

Anyway, I've been able to keep my skin pretty much under control lately. I've never had great skin so I start sending prayers to the heavens when I only get 3-5 pimples a month. Well as long as I don't get stressed out too much and as long as I don't get a lot of night shifts, my skin stays fine. I wear pretty heavy make-up on a daily basis which doesn't really help at all either.

So here's what I use to wash and exfoliate my skin with.

Okay. You can't really see anything, can you? ha ha ha Here's a list of the stuff I wash my face with.

Avene Cleanance Soap-Free Gel Cleanser. This is gentle and never leaves my skin dry. I use this when my skin feels fine and relaxed. This 200ml bottle has lasted me for 6 months already. Yes! 6 months! Talk about value.

Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser. Again, another soap-free cleanser. This one though, I find is a bit stronger. So I use this before I get my period, before/during/after night shifts, and simply on those days when my skin needs help. But this product can get pretty drying so I don't use it more than 4 days in a row.

Another cleanser which I use about twice a week is the Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, also from Mario Badescu. And as the description suggests, this is for dull, congested skin. The Glycolic Acid in this helps break-up the build-up from your skin's surface. This one, since you only use it 2x a week, lasts a lifetime. And it smells nice and herby and leafy.

Lastly, to exfoliate, I've been using this for years and although I feel that I need to find a less abrasive scrub, I still can't seem to part ways with this. It's the St. Ives Apricot Scrub for Blemish and Blackhead Control. I feel that the grits/granules in this can be a bit too harsh. The formulation is a bit strong, too so I skip cleanser when I use this so I don't overdry my skin. I use this every 2 days.

When I don't scrub, I use my Clarisonic Mia every 2-3 days with whichever of the 3 cleansers I feel like using or to remove makeup with my Shu Uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil. Instead of emulsifying the oil with my hands, I use the Clarisonic instead. I just run the brush underneath warm water and scrub away. When my face feels dry from all the acne products, I skip cleansing and exfoliating and just use this oil. And it's a 2-in-1 product as well which is great. Most people think that this is just a make-up remover because it's oil based. But it can actually replace your cleanser already. I tried this for a while but my skin really just needs extra help. To be honest though, I wouldn't be repurchasing this since it doesn't really make a remarkable difference.

Toners and moisturizers coming up next. :)

Working shifts messes up not only your body clock, but your skin as well.

I love my job, I love my hotel. I just hate that we work on rotating shifts. I worked 4 nights on graveyard last week and now I'm back on the 7am roster.

I hardly slept last night because, really, how do you transition from working to sleeping at night?

It makes my skin condition even
More unstable and stubborn as well. I've been trying to figure out which item in my regimen i needed to change. Maybe none. I can't really quit my job either. Tough luck.

Will post a photo on my skin care regimen soon. Maybe later if I'm still breathing after my shift.

To compensate. I made me quite a hearty brekkie. I had a grilled egg and cheese on multi grain sandwich, iced vanilla coffee, and a banana.

Summer all day, everyday!

The thing I enjoy most about living in a tropical country is that I get to wear summer clothes anytime the sun is out. Fun, summer colors. Hooray for that.

I was at the Quiksilver store the other day and decided I wanted a new bikini. I got one in a peachy coral shade. It's one of those mix and match ones they have which is perfect 'cause I'm never entirely one size. I normally wear a UK10 top and a UK8 bottom. For some reason the color looks so much duller on the site. :|

Here's a photo of the bikini I got along with some other summer essentials.

Other than the bikini, I got these other stuff as well.

Daisy Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs. Perfect for summer days. It's light and floral and sweet and it smells happy. :D

Nars blush in Crazed - A little goes a loooong way. I swear. This color makes your cheeks look like you've been out in the sun. On my skintone atleast. I'm a Mac NC35. Strange. I think this has just been discontinued. I can't find it anywhere on the Nars site.

Carmex SPF 15 Original lip balm. I love this. It's very moisturizing. It's weird how it works for me though. The first time I apply it, my lips will start to get flaky and all the dry skin will come to surface. So, I wipe it off and reapply. After that, it's all soft and smooth.

Laura Mercier Pressed Mineral Powder in Rich Vanilla. This one, when applied with the sponge it comes with looks hideous. Cakey and thick and mask-like. But with a kabuki or a powder brush, it's lovely. It gives you just the right coverage, evens out your skin, does not break me out, and it's lightweight. What I love most though is how the product reacts with the natural oils of my skin. I have super oily skin and for some reason, this product does a good job at controlling it and after awhile, when my skind does start to get shiny, it get's so evenly diffused. If there's even such a thing. But it looks natural and glowing and healthy.

Sunnies are from Dior. Old ones which I like to use all the time. :)

Longest post to date. Hooray. :p

Pre and post workout snacks!

Finally got my hands on Luna and Nut-Thins. Whoopee!!!

Learned about these power snacks, again, from Karena and Katrina of Tone It Up. The Luna bars taste great. These can very well take the place of any chocolate bar if you're craving for a sweet something.

I grab a bar if I'm rushing in the morning and have no time for breakfast, before or after workout for protein, or as an afternoon snack to get me through the long gap between lunch and dinner.

Nut-Thins, I've never tried before but with peanut butter or brie or any spread on top, you can't go wrong.

Here's to healthy, yummy snacking. Yay! :)

Confetti Nails!

It took me a month to get my hands on this nail polish. It's Rainbow Connection from OPI. It was sold out everywhere I went that I had to order it from EBay.

Anyway, 1-2 coats of this on top of any white nail polish is super duper cute.

If you want to start living healthy, start with your pantry. :)

 I found these girls on YouTube while searching for new exercise routines. And in that search, I still managed to stumble upon food. :| Well, healthy ones at least. Watch the Tone It Up girls, Karena and Katrina and learn which foods you should stock up on.

Too bad that we have a limited selection of organic and all-natural foods here in Singapore.

To the Tone It Up girls, you guys are so much fun. :)

I don't wear boots, but I LOVE these!!!

My style is slowly taking a turn. My daily uniform is a boring basic outfit with ballet flats. My wardrobe has very little color and very few patterned pieces. So it's a bit odd that I've had my eyes fixed on this baby since Christmas.

I can only imagine pairing this with a loose-fitting top and leggings/jeggings. I'd like to pair it with a dress similar to the one below but I'm afraid I'd look silly. I can picture someone petite with a slightly rockstar-ish vibe to pull this look off. I'm neither. So, yeah.

A short intro

This is nothing more than a shallow shopping blog.

First real post will be up soon. Let me just organize my thoughts for a little bit. :P